I had planned to visit the donkeys at Oscar’s Place Adoption Center and Sanctuary in Hopland for a while. My favorite donkey, Blanche, an over 40-year-old white donkey died from old age. I wanted very much to see my other old favorite, Norman, who is in his final chapter, before he passes. I felt a need to rush there and give him lots of love.
My neighbors, Marcella and Aaron, wanted to go as well. Aaron asked if he would be able to pet a donkey. “Oh, yes!” I said laughing. “You’ll be in the midst of them!”
Our visit couldn’t have had better weather, not too hot and not too cold. The dirt pastures had dried from all the previous rains, so no rubber boots were needed.
At Oscar’s Place, Ron King, the man whose vision for saving donkeys for their love rather than the hides that are used for cosmetics in Chinese society, was there to greet us and welcome my friends.
King is a man whose “uniform” is dusty blue-jeans, flannel shirt and worn-looking boots. His passion shines through his knowledge of every donkey that Oscar’s Place has saved, through the trials and horrors each donkey has gone through. The donkeys greet him as friend, savior and let him come close, allow him to tend to their needs, feel loved and safe. Some who are wary of humans take longer to warm up to King and the staff.
The Senior Pasture was Blanche’s pasture along with Norman’s. Norman was off eating hay by himself, and King coaxed him over to us. I came prepared with a pocket full of tissues because Norman has a constant runny nose, so I pulled out a handful and wiped his nose; kind of like taking care of a kid. He stood while we all scratched his bum. Not sure why donkeys love their bums scratched but they do!
It was hard leaving Norman. It’s never a certain thing that he’ll be there on my next visit or if he’ll be trotting with Blanche and his best friend Harry over the Rainbow Bridge.
King told how he tries to prepare everyone for the final chapters of donkeys as people get very attached and it’s difficult and heartbreaking when they go.
Scores of volunteers show up to give scratches and hugs. One couple from the Bay Area were brushing Patches, one of two blind donkeys at the sanctuary. They knew Patches’ back story; how he was abused and starved by his owner who used him as a working donkey. They worked him so hard that his tongue was cut almost in half from a too small bit. He was starved so badly that it caused Patches to go blind. Ron named him Patches because his fur came off in patches.
Marcella was shocked and horrified that humans could be so cruel to an animal. So horrified that she chose to donate monthly to Patches’ care.
In January, King and his crew went to Texas and brought back 10 female donkeys. Some of whom were pregnant. One such donkey was Cosset who on April 25 had a baby girl, Becky Lu. In the pasture with moms and babies, I waited patiently for Becky Lu to come to me. Her mother didn’t take her eyes off me, making sure I wouldn’t hurt her new baby. Becky Lu finally came up to me. I melted as I pet her. Her coat was so fluffy. At 30 hours old, she was silken, and amazingly trusting. Once done with me she went over to Aaron and couldn’t get enough of him. “Animals love me,” he said, with a smile. It seemed so as even Becky Lu’s mom went over to Aaron for some love.
And Aaron wondered if he would be able to pet a donkey. Guess so!
Another auction happens on May 4, this weekend, in Texas. A very long way from Hopland and I’m hoping that Oscar’s Place will once again save more donkeys.
What’s a girl to do?…I’m going to add another donkey, besides Norman, to sponsor. Perhaps little Becky Lu.
Learn more at www.oscarsplace.org
Lucy Llewellyn Byard is currently a columnist for the Record-Bee. To contact her, email lucywgtd@gmail.com
